Apparatus for removing optical element from washing tool

ABSTRACT

An apparatus ( 50 ) for removing a plurality of optical elements includes a plurality of clamping device ( 52 ) and a connecting portion ( 54 ). Each clamping device includes two operating portions ( 56 ). Each operating portion has an end portion ( 58 ) bent outwardly. The connecting portion is attached to an end opposite to the end portion of each of the clamping devices.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a clamping device, and more particularly, to an apparatus for removing optical element from a washing tool.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

With the ongoing development of micro circuitry and multimedia technologies, digital cameras have become a highly popular way of taking pictures. High-end portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), are being developed to include increasing numbers of special features, including digital camera modules. Portable electronic devices which include digital cameras enable consumers to enjoy taking digital pictures anytime and anywhere, the smallest and most eye-catching of such electronic devices being the most popular.

In camera modules, optical lens quality is very important to the quality of the pictures captured by the camera modules. In the process of manufacturing, the optical lenses need to be washed before applying a film thereon. Generally, optical elements are washed using ultrasound in a vessel filled with liquid. The optical elements are prone to collide with each other during cleaning. As a result, a surface of each optical element may easily be scraped or damaged. To prevent this, optical elements need to be fixed in a washing tool so that the optical elements are separated from each other and do not collide with each other.

Referring to FIG. 1, a typical washing tool 10 is inverted to show. The washing tool 10 is substantially double-layer frames structure. The washing tool 10 includes many spaced rods 12, each three rods surrounding a triangle. A plurality of securing pieces 14 are positioned among each three rods 12. Each securing piece 14 defines a V-shaped groove 16. When washing, each optical element 18 may be locked in a corresponding groove 16. After the process of the washing is finished, the washing tool 10 may be inverted. Most of optical elements may fall out from the washing tool 10. However, some optical elements might still stay in the washing tool 10 owing to the securing pieces 14. Therefore, the remaining optical elements 18 need a specialized clamping device 20 to separate the optical elements 18 from the washing tool 10. The clamping device 20 includes two end portions 22 bent inwardly.

In operation, this kind of the clamping device 20 firstly rides the rod 12 on the top of one of optical element 18, thereby allowing the end portions 22 of the clamping device 20 to resist the securing pieces 14 on the two sides of the optical element 18. Then, the clamping device 20 pushes downwards so as to make the optical element 18 fall out. When the optical element 18 falls out from the securing pieces 14, because the end portion 22 is peaked and is disposed at the inner side thereof, the optical element 18 may become polluted if the clamping device 20 becomes offset, causing the optical element 18 to be scraped so as to effect the image quality.

Therefore, a new clamping device is desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of an apparatus for removing an optical element from a holding portion of the washing tool, includes two operating portions connecting each other. Each operating portion has an end portion, and each end portion bent outwardly. The end portion is configured for pressing the holding portion so as to disengage the holding portion from the optical element.

Another embodiment of an apparatus for removing a plurality of optical elements includes a plurality of clamping device and a connecting portion. Each clamping device includes two operating portions. Each operating portion has an end portion bent outwardly. The connecting portion is attached to an end opposite to the end portion of each of the clamping devices.

Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present clamping device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the clamping device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional clamping device used in a washing tool;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a clamping device used in a washing tool according to a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a clamping device used in a washing tool according to another preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, a clamping device 40 (i.e. jig), is used in a washing tool 30.

The washing tool 30 is substantially a rectangular frame, which includes a support frame 31, a first frame 32 and a second frame 33 connected in that order, thereby forming a double-layer structure. The support frame 31 is made up of four rods. The first frame 32 and the second frame 33 are parallel spaced from each other. The first frame 32 is made up of two long rods 320 and two short rods 322 arranged so as to form a rectangle. Two fixed rods 324 are positioned on the first frame 32, and are connected to the long rods 320. The fixed rods 324 are between the two short rods 322 with equally arranged. A plurality of securing pieces 326 are positioned between the short rod 322 and the fixed rod 324, between the fixed rods 324. Each securing piece 324 is parallel to the first frame 32. The securing pieces 326 are made of elastic material such as Teflon which is both heat resistant and will not scratch optical elements owing to its elastic characteristics.

The second frame 34 is also made of two long rods 340 and two short rods 342 arranged so as to form a rectangle. Three holding rods 344 are positioned on the second frame 34, and are connected to the long rods 340. The holding rods 344 are arranged between the two short rods 342. The holding rods 344 are offset relative to the fixed rods 324 and are arranged so as to form a triangle. The holding rods 344 have a plurality of securing pieces 326, a quantity of which corresponds to that of the securing pieces 326 on the fixed rods 324. Each securing piece 346 of the second frame 34 is perpendicular to the second frame 34. The material of the securing pieces 346 is the same as those of the securing piece 326 on the first frame 32. A free end of each securing piece 326, 346 defines a corresponding V-shaped groove 328, 348. Optical elements 38 may be engaged in a corresponding groove 328, 348.

The clamping device 40 has a substantially n-shaped cross section, and includes two operating portions 42. Each operating portion 42 has an end portion 44 bending outwardly. The operating portions 42 connect to each other at one end thereof opposite to the end portion 44. The clamping device 40 is made of stainless material or metal material. When the clamping device 40 is pressed, the clamping device 40 may be deformable.

In use, the user holds the clamping device 40 to cause the clamping device 40 to be aligned with a given optical element 38. Then, the operating portions 42 of the clamping device 40 firstly ride the holding rod 344 on the top of the optical element 38, thereby allowing the end portion 44 of the clamping device 40 to hold on the peripheral wall of the optical element 38. Next, the clamping device 40 pushes downwards, and the height of the operating portions 42 becomes shorter. At the same time, the end portions 44 slide outside. The end portions 44 of the clamping device 40 push the securing pieces 326 on the two sides of the optical element 38 so that the securing pieces 326 move down and to their respective sides. Accordingly, the optical element 38 is rendered removable from the groove 328. This kind structure of the clamping device 40 may avoid contacting with the optical element 38 directly. When the optical elements are separated from the securing pieces 326, the optical elements 38 can be removed from the support frame 31.

In another embodiment, the clamping device may be formed in a group structure. Referring to FIG. 3, the clamping group 50 includes a plurality of clamping devices 52. The clamping devices 52 are spaced from each other by a gap. The clamping devices 52 of the clamping group 50 are of an amount corresponding to that of a number of rows of securing pieces 346. Each clamping device 52 includes two operating portions 56. Each operating portion 56 has an end portion 58 bending outwardly. The operating portions 54 can connect to each other by means of a connecting portion 54 at one end thereof opposite to the end portion 58. The connecting portion 54 is rod-like. The connecting portion 54 can be made of a metal such as iron. Each clamping device may be connected to the connecting portion 56 by means of welding or other related methods. The clamping devices 52 can be made of stainless material or other similar metallic materials. When the clamping group 50 is pressed, the clamping devices 52 may be deformable.

In use, the user holds the clamping group 50 to cause the clamping devices 52 to be aligned with a row of optical elements 38. Then, the operating portions 56 of the clamping devices 52 firstly ride the holding rod 322 on the top of the optical element 38, thereby allowing the end portions 58 of the clamping devices 52 to hold on the securing pieces 326 on two sides of each optical element 38. Next, the clamping group 50 pushes downwards, and the height of the operating portions 56 becomes shorter. At the same time, the end portions 58 slide outside. The end portions 58 of the clamping group 50 push the securing pieces 326 at two sides of the optical elements 38 so that the securing pieces 326 move down and to their respective sides. Accordingly, the optical elements 38 can be removed from the grooves 328.

Understandably, the clamping device may include a base and two legs extending from two sides of the base. Each leg has two feet bent outwardly. Each foot is configured for pushing the securing piece of the washing tool so as to remove the optical element from the washing tool. A main advantage of the clamping device 40 is that it is cheap and simple. In addition, the clamping device 40 may be conveniently operated by hand.

As described above, the preferred embodiment provides a clamping device for a washing tool, which has both simplicity and ease of use. It is, however, to be understood that the clamping device could potentially be useful in other applications in which it may be desirable to allow clamping something by resisting a locking mechanism so as to attain a stable disassembly.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for removing an optical element from a holding portion of the washing tool, the clamping device comprising two operating portions connecting each other, each operating portion having an end portion, each end portion bent outwardly, the end portion being configured for pressing the holding portion so as to disengage the holding portion from the optical element.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping device is n-shaped.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clamping device is made of elastic material.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the clamping device is made of stainless steel material.
 5. An apparatus for removing a plurality of optical elements, comprising: a plurality of clamping devices, each clamping device including two operating portions, each operating portion having an end portion bent outwardly; and a connecting portion attached to an end opposite to the end portion of each of the clamping devices.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the clamping devices are n-shaped.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the clamping devices are made of elastic material.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clamping devices are made of stainless steel material.
 9. A clamping device for clamping an optical element to be removed from a washing tool, the clamp device comprising: a base; two legs extending from two sides of the base, each leg having a foot; wherein the foot is configured for pushing the securing pieces of the washing tool so as to separate the optical element from the washing tool.
 10. The clamping device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clamping device is n-shaped formed.
 11. The clamping device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clamping device is made of elastic material.
 12. The clamping device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the clamping device is made of stainless steel material. 